Tech

A look at the gorgeous, antiquated technology running the NYC Subway

At more than 100 years old, the New York City subway is one of the oldest in the world. Most of it is run by equipment nearly as old.

In a video on its YouTube channel, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority provided a rare look behind the scenes at the New York City subway, highlighting the antiquated tech that powers it and detailing how the MTA is trying to improve it.

The video starts at the West 4th subway stop in Manhattan with a look at the interlocking machine that provides safe travel for subway cars. Wynton Habersham, vice president and chief officer of service delivery for the subway, says that the machine is reliable and safe, but it's 1930s technology.

Habersham also shows off the relay room at West 4th street, pointing out an electromechanical relay installed in 1952. The MTA operates an in-house repair shop for these relays because the rail industry doesn't make anything like them anymore.

This is gorgeous and fascinating tech to look at, but it also points to many of the current issues with the subway system. It's far too primitive to keep up with the demand of an ever-increasing ridership.

Additionally, much of this machinery is all wired with cloth wiring, which presents a significant fire risk.

The MTA uses this point to pivot to explain how they're modernizing the subway using Communications-Based Train Control. CBTC allows dispatchers to better know exactly where the trains are, allowing them to run closer to each other, safely. To switch over the L Train in New York, it cost the MTA $1 billion and took seven years to implement, with many full service suspensions required.

Eventually, the entire subway system will be controlled by CBTC, a massive undertaking.

As anyone who lives in New York City knows, the subway is far from perfect, but it's frankly incredible it works at all with this ancient equipment.

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